We all know good people are a given for organisations to be successful. The world of work is less and less about manual labour and more and more driven by knowledge work. So add to good people, the need for healthy and clear minds to create competitive advantage. In increasingly demanding, fast paced work environments organisations need their people to have focused mind and sharing the load together (team work).
The connection between physical and mental well being is well known. People with higher levels of regular physical activity have been shown to have increased levels of positive emotions, feel more awake and calmer, have greater physical and self esteem and enhanced cognitive powers. They also have lower stress rates and we know exercise offers well recognised benefits to those with depression.
There’s a similar body of research emerging that connects being close to nature with many mental and physical benefits. And the longer the connection with nature, the greater the effects. Daily interactions with nature help people de-stress, find focus and ease mental fatigue. Our brains especially like water: decreasing cortisol levels, quieting our brain’s ‘executive function’ and increasing focus and creativity.
So being active in natural environments has much to offer today’s stressed knowledge workers.
City SUP and Starboard SUPSNZ have designed team events called Better Teams to provide opportunities for organisations and teams to tap into the benefits of activity (stand up paddling) in nature (on Auckland’s amazing blue spaces). These range from pure fun (SUP Polo), to social purpose (coastal clean ups) to working on team connection (amazing races) and adventures (bespoke SUP tours). Each of these events includes workshops teaching the group to stand up paddle with good posture and technique. So we believe we have an easily accessible, fun activity that can play an important part in creating better teams. These events could be stand alone (e.g. Christmas or client events) or be integrated into team away days or training programmes to set the mood and focus participants.
Call or email Helen on 021 289 0221 or helen@citysup.co.nz
